Why We Care

Why We Care

NLIHC is cosponsoring a congressional briefing on June 24 at 2 pm at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DC, that focuses on why housing matters in criminal justice reform. The briefing will explore why we must ensure the reentry population has access to decent, affordable homes. It will also explore the barriers to housing those individuals continue to face and the current efforts to revisit and reform policies that have worked to exclude people with criminal records from federally subsidized housing.

Speakers include:

Kristen Clarke, president and executive director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Each year in the U.S., millions of individuals return to their communities after being released from state and federal prisons and local jails. For the reentry population, access to stable, safe, and affordable housing is crucial to ensure these individuals can get back on their feet and turn their lives around. Housing provides a platform for positive outcomes for the formerly incarcerated, their communities, and their families. Unfortunately, barriers to housing often prevent many from having a second chance after serving their time and increase the likelihood of recidivism and homelessness.